CELEBRATING the 90th anniversary of the formation of the club with a game against the Chairman's XI, the many spectators at the Millaton Ground on Saturday were met with warm, brilliant sunshine.

The Chairman's side batted first and after being dropped before scoring Tim Pope, who has just left Sherborne as captain of cricket, made a quick 28 before the middle order collapsed on a difficult wicket.

Reduced to 55-5 a quick victory looked likely for the village but an obdurate 31 from Jon Perry, followed by a last wicket stand between Steve Sizmur and skipper Chris Lavis saw their side to a respectable total of 153.

Had Phil Woods been held in the deep early in his innings Bridestowe might have stuggled to reach their target, but he went on to hit 61 and with Nadine, guesting for the village, took the score to 84-1.

Tim Pope then bowled eight fast accurate overs from the top end taking 2-16 in his spell. With Lavis chipping in with 4-28 at the other end Bridestowe looked capable of snatching defeat out of the air once more as they have done several times this season, but Nadine, who ended not out on 61, was always in control of the situation, seeing the village side home by three wickets with a couple of overs to spare.

An excellent game complemented a splendid day which ended with a barbecue and beer on the ground before a lot of players and their families retired to the White Hart to continue the festivities.

Chairman'XI 153 (Sizmur 34, Nadine 31, Pope 28, Nadine 3 for 8, D. Fogerty 2 for 26) lost to Bridestowe 156 for 7 (Woods 63, Nadine 61 not out, Lavis 4 for 28, Pope 2 for 16) by 3 wickets.